Dramatic pictures have emerged of the moment a historical re-enactor being winched into a rescue helicopter from the bell tower of Worcester Cathedral.

Images show the Coastguard helicopter hovering over the cathedral after a man, 53, suffered a diabetic episode during filming with a historical re-enactment group.

Due to the cathedral's tall tower and narrow staircase, emergency services deemed a helicopter rescue as the best course of action.

The man was dressed in 17th-century clothes at the time of his rescue, which took place on Saturday.

Dramatic footage has emerged of the moment a historical re-enactor being winched into a rescue helicopter from the bell tower of Worcester Cathedral

Video shows the Coastguard helicopter hovering over the cathedral after a man, 53, suffered a diabetic episode during filming with a historical re-enactment group

Due to the cathedral's tall tower and narrow staircase, emergency services deemed a helicopter rescue as the best course of action

Fire crews called in air support based at St Athan in south Wales due to the location of the casualty, who was flown to an ambulance waiting in a nearby field.

Commenting on the rescue, helicopter Winchman Sam Wellsteed said: 'The Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service and the West Midlands Ambulance Service had done a fantastic job to make the casualty comfortable and had prepared him for winching before we had arrived.

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'Obviously the tall spires presented a hazard to the helicopter but our main concern was making sure the cathedral wasn't affected by the downdraft of the helicopter which can sometimes be very strong.

'Thankfully, we were able to get to the casualty very quickly and winch him on board in a matter of minutes.'

An injured bell-ringer was lowered around 80ft to safety by a fire service rope rescue crew at the cathedral in February, after a freak accident left him with a fractured bone in his back.

The man was dressed in 17th-century clothes at the time of his rescue, which took place on Saturday